The Shetland Isles and the Isle of Skye are well represented at this year's Scottish Modern Apprenticeship Awards after four nominees from the islands were named as finalists. 

Modern Apprenticeships combine paid employment with the opportunity to train for jobs at craft, technician and management level. In Scotland, they are managed by Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise.  The winners will be announced and awards will be presented at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh on October 12th. 

Two nominees from Lerwick have been short-listed in the continued personal development category.  They are Hjaltland Seafarms Ltd employee Graham Keith and BP UK employee John-Robert Eunson.

Train Shetland and MacKenzie Building and Civil Engineering Contractors, will also be flying the flag for the Highlands and Islands. 

Alex Paterson, director of developing skills at Highlands and Islands Enterprise commended all the finalists on their achievements and wished them well on the night.  He said:  "Modern Apprenticeships are firmly established as an important part of the skills landscape in Scotland.  They play a vital role by offering people the chance to work in a real job, earning a decent wage, while learning a skill and gaining a recognised qualification." 

John-Robert is hopeful of adding another title to his list after being awarded the Tallow Chandler Medal for being BP UK's top outstanding apprentice. 

Graham Keith was named in the continued personal development category after working towards his aquaculture modern apprenticeship qualification, despite having made the life changing leap from the retail trade to fish farming in Shetland.

MacKenzie Building and Civil Engineering, based in Dunvegan was nominated after
Providing apprentices with a programme where they can benefit from close monitoring and on-site training, resulting in workforce of skilled tradesmen throughout Skye and Wester Ross. 

Train Shetland was also recognised as a champion of modern apprenticeships, providing a unique and highly valued service to the islands' employers.